I was ten when I first sat with my grandmother behind the cashier（收银台）in her general store.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I quickly learned the importance of treating customers politely and saying “thank you.”

    At first I was paid in candy.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} I worked every day after school, and during the summer and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. My father helped me set up a bank account.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    By the time I was 12, my grandmother thought I had done such a good job that she promoted me to selling cosmetics（化妆品）. I developed the ability to look customers directly in the eye. Even though I was just a kid, women would ask me such things as “ What color do you think I should wear?” I took a real interest in their questions and was able to translate what they wanted into makeup（化妆）ideas.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The job taught me a valuable lesson: to be a successful salesperson, you didn't need to be a Rocket scientist—you needed to be a great listener.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Except they are no longer women purchasing cosmetics from me; instead, they are kids who tell me which toys they would like to see designed and developed.

A. Later I received 50 cents an hour.

B. Before long, she let me sit there by myself.

C. I ended up selling a record amount of cosmetics.

D. Today I still carry that lesson with me: I listen to customers.

E. My grandma's trust taught me how to handle responsibility.

F. Soon I found myself looking more beautiful than ever before.

G. Watching my money grow was more rewarding than anything I could have bought.

    Hello，boys and girls.Today is Thursday.I'm very happy   (A)   I have art today.My art teacher is a twenty-year-old girl.She's from Shanghai.Her name is Yang Lei.She's friendly to us.(B)We all call her“Xiao Yang”.“Xiao Yang” likes sports.Every morning she gets up very early. She usually runs   (C)   an hour.Every afternoon she plays basketball with us for two hours.(D)她最喜爱的体育明星是姚明。Oh，my favorite sports player is Kobe.I think he is the best basketball player in the world.Oh，I forget to tell you.My name is Gao Lei.I'm a Chinese boy. I'm in Red Star Middle School.I'm in Class Two， Grade Seven.My English name is Jay.

    "Have you finished your lesson, George?" said Mr. Prentice to his son, who had laid aside his book and was busy making a large paper kite.

    "No, father, "replied George, hanging down his head.

    "{#blank#}1{#/blank#}"

    "Because it is so difficult, father. I'm not sure that I shall learn it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}My memory is so bad."

    "If I were to promise you a holiday on the thirtieth of the month after next, do you think you would forget the date?"

    "{#blank#}3{#/blank#}"

    "You are good at skating, and flying your kite, and playing footballs, aren't you?"

    "Yes, father."

    "And you cannot learn your lesson! My dear boy, you are lying to yourself.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}"

    "But have I not tried, father?" again asked George.

    "{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Come, for this afternoon lay aside that kite you are making, and give another effort to get your lesson ready. Be serious, and you will soon learn it."

    China and Western countries may have different cultural beliefs about certain animals, but when it comes to pigs, somehow we have the same idea that pigs are ugly and lazy.

    But the truth is that pigs do have some finer qualities. And maybe there's m better time to clear their names than now, with the arrival of the Year of the Pig on Feb 5 this year.

    For starters, science long ago proved that pigs aren't stupid at all. According to a research, "pigs are mentally (精神) and socially like dogs and chimpanzees. They like to play. They can remember things for a long time. And they can tell who treat them welt and who don't.

    There are lovable pig characters in cartoons too. Peppa Pig, a UK animated television series that begin in 2004, has now become one of the most popular cartoons in 180 countries and areas. The four members in the cartoon's pig family teach children from all over the world to get on well with fiends. Their dally stories show that family members are the most valuable persons to cherish (珍惜). And in China, the adventures of McDull, a piglet who works hard towards his dreams even though he keeps failing, have been made into films since 2001. McDull is slow and patient, and not afraid of repeated failures. He has a heart of gold.

    Perhaps these are the qualities of pigs to keep in mind when we celebrate this Chinese New Year—their intelligence (智力), cuteness, patience and innocence.

    International travelers, whether traveling for business or pleasure, will find themselves alone from time to time. Here are a few ways to meet new people and perhaps even get new travel chances.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}⑴Be polite and friendly. Remember to put yourself in social situations. Restaurants, shops and parks are all great places to meet people. If you want to make local friends in a country, stay near the places the locals often visit.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}⑵Keep a small photo album in your bag when you travel. Photos of family, friends and pets will help your new friends learn more about you. They will share their similar experiences with you, and it will help you learn more about your new friends.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}⑶Can you help your new friends improve their Chinese? Can you cook a traditional Chinese meal? By sharing your experiences, you can have a close relationship with your new friends that they won't soon forget.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}⑷Many foreigners love Chinese goods but have to pay a lot when buying them in homeland, so you'd better prepare some gifts such as silks, tea and china (瓷器). They are always popular.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}⑸If you and your new friends get along well, you can give them your information and plan to live in each other's house for your next trip. Then you can visit their countries and stay in their houses while they stay in yours. In this way you will improve your friendship and live like a local abroad, but pay less for traveling.

    When was the last time you gave or received a hug? Do your parents hug you before you go to school? In Western countries, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    You might hug your teammates after winning a basketball game. If one of your friends is having a bad day, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Friends who haven't seen each other for a long time will usually hug each other when meeting.

    Of course, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. After coming to China, I've noticed that people are generally more reluctant (不情愿的) to hug than they are in my home country, the US.

    My Chinese friends told me that hugging is considered to be very intimate (亲密的) in their culture, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, like couples. Chinese people don't usually hug in public, either.

    But people's attitudes toward hugging can also change.

    I remember watching a video story about a "hugging party" that was held in Shanghai. A local artist held the party, inviting strangers and asking them to hug each other.

    The Chinese participants clearly looked uncomfortable, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. They decided that hugging doesn't have to be awkward (尴尬的) and can actually be quite nice. So next time you see your mom or dad, give them a hug—see how it makes you feel.